Just a few days ago, we heard more details on the free agency experience involving Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Jason Licht admitted he was nervous the team would lose Godwin to another team and, when it was all said and done, the veteran "left money on the table."
In the end, though, Godwin re-signed with the Bucs and is no longer looking for work like some of his 2024 teammates still are. Tampa Bay will be bringing back their entire starting offense from a season ago behind quarterback Baker Mayfield, and continuity reigns supreme within the Bucs' organization.
There were reports of Godwin not only leaving money on the table in free agency, but also that there was a team which had offered him a "blank check." Of course, fans wanted to jump to conclusions and start hypothesizing over which team that would have been.
As it turns out, most of the guesses would have been right. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer detailed exactly which team that was in his recent column.
Chris Godwin's 'blank check' free agency team revealed
"My understanding is that the blank check team was the Patriots," wrote the NFL insider. " ... and it wasn’t the first time the Bucs had gotten such affirmation from a star receiver."
New England entered this offseason with the most available cap space, and by a long shot, so it was a pretty easy guess for fans who had been paying attention. Still, with all of the money he could have had in New England, Godwin's decision proved Tampa Bay was a much better spot for him.
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It shows how well of a job Licht has done over the past few offseasons, too, since the departure and retirement of Tom Brady. Licht has not only put together a competitive team, but he's put together a team that continues to get better and has been able to stay together.
Godwin did not want to go into a rebuild like that of the Patriots, behind a Year 2 quarterback who may or may not pan out as a legitimate starter. He knows he's got a good thing going in Tampa Bay and didn't want to see that come to an end.
Meanwhile, the Patriots' need of wide receiver help remains after only signing Mack Hollins in free agency. Godwin knew he could have had a rich contract, especially with Tee Higgins' contract situation being up in the air at the time.
But, he chose to stay. And thank goodness he did.